Science Policy Around the Web – September 16, 2013

Our weekly linkpost (sorry for the delay!), bringing you interesting and informative links on science policy issues buzzing about the internet.

A silent hurricane season adds fuel to the debate over global warming – Halfway through hurricane season, there have been no Atlantic hurricanes. One possible explanation is abundance or warmer, dryer air across the Atlantic leading to fewer disturbances. Furthermore, a Category 3 or greater hurricane hasn’t made landfall since 2005 (Wilma), and scientists are confused about the cause. A report published in 2007 predicted an increase in destructive hurricanes, however, the opposite has been true, and a newer report indicates that there was only a 20 percent chance of the 2007 report being accurate. The debate regarding the severity of hurricanes illustrates the ongoing debate about the effects of global climate change. (Bryan Walsh)

More than 1,100 have cancer after 9/11 – More than 1,000 people who lived or worked near the World Trade Center around 9/11 have been diagnosed with cancer. To date, approximately 1,140 people who developed cancer after exposure to debris from the 9/11 attacks on the WTC have received health insurance from the World Trade Center Health Program. Although cancer was not initially covered by the program, in September 2012, 58 types of cancer were added to the list of illnesses covered by the program. The program was created following the passage of the Zagoda Act, which was signed by President Obama in 2011. (CNN)

The adjunct advantage – A study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that new students at Northwestern University learned better from adjunct professors than tenure-track professors. The study considered many aspects of learning- not simply completion of the course. The results of the study suggest that hiring faculty with only teaching responsibilities to complement those who also have research responsibilities may be beneficial to students. (Scott Jaschik)